Interacting+with+parents

*It's always good to consult another teacher about the “problem” student before contacting the parents
 * When to contact **

Parents can be your best allies when it comes to supporting you in improving students’ grades and behaviors. 1. Be in touch with parents as soon as you know “things” may happen to certain student. DO NOT wait until “things” really happen to contact parents. Parents may get defensive if your first contact or phone call is to talk about problems their child is creating in your classroom. Email will be a good first step, if the parent doesn’t have email, a phone call is necessary. Your first phone call can be: “Dear Mr. D, This is Mrs. Chang from Westside Middle School. I have enjoyed teaching your son’s Chinese class even it’s just a few days into the first semester. This phone call is to touch bases with you on how your son adjusting learning a new language in my class. Do you have a minute to talk? (If yes, continue you the conversation by asking the following questions) Has he learned any language before? Is he liking his 6th grade? Has he ever talk about his learning experience in my class? How can I better assist him in his learning?” With this initial contact, parents will have the idea that you are truly helping their child to learn rather than “picking’ on their child.

Since using English to communicate with parents maybe intimidating for some of you, it will be a good idea if you write down what you want to talk about and practice with your American colleagues to make sure what you are trying to say is clear and straight to the point. Make sure you speak slowly and clearly. Most of the problem the people cannot understand you on the phone is you get too nervous and either speak very fast or mumble through words. If you are writing email to parents, it will be a good idea to, again, have your colleagues to read through the email really fast to make sure the email make sense and, more importantly, writing with the tone of professionalism.

After your initiative contact, you want to keep a record of your communication with parents and administrator for future references in case the student is causing your lots of problems, you will have a way to prove that you have done your best to communicate and improve the situation.

Parents conference will be the next step if a couple phone calls and email do not work. If the parents are hard to deal with, you would want to involve an administrator or school counselor to attend the parents conference to assist you.

In any culture, we all like to “报喜不报忧 （reporting good news rather than bad news)”. But, the truth is parents of good students hardly ever hear “good news” from teachers, as teachers, we often spend our time and energy on how to get the students with poor grades or behaviors to improve. If you can keep all parents in the loop of how your class is going, parents are more likely to support and help you in anything you need.
 * How to create positive relationship **

1. A short email or send flyers to parents to inform them Chinese culture related community events, 2. Organize weekend field trip and invite students’ parents or families to Chinese restaurants 3. If parents know any friend or colleague who is Chinese or has visited China/Taiwan and is willing to come to your class as special guest
 * Ways to involve parents and create positive relationship **

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">**Other:** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s hard for students to respect a teacher who cannot communicate very well in their language, either it means English or the-age-appropriate language. Hanging out with American teachers in your school is the best start on learning your student’s language. Make an effort on attending school functions (after school BBQ, faculty fun nights, etc.) and eating at teacher’s lounge to socialize with American teachers. Not every teacher is friendly but you will find one or two if you persist. The more you socialize with teachers, the more you will understand American culture/language and your students)